Wanganui Barry Cornford receives NZ parking award

Media Release – October 7, 2005

Wanganui Barry Cornford receives NZ parking award of the year

Barry Cornford of Wanganui has won the annual New Zealand award for parking excellence.

He received the award at the New Zealand Parking Association’s conference dinner in Hamilton last night.

Cornford has given lengthy service to the parking industry and to the Wanganui community. He has received the QSM for services to civil defence and emergency management in the city.

``Barry has been responsible for the revitalisation and the rebranding of the parking unit for Wanganui district Council. He is an outstanding role model for us,’’ NZ Parking Association chairman Colin Waite said today.

``His achievements were highlighted in the recommendations made by the Wanganui District Council management executive.’’

Cornford previously served in both the British and New Zealand police forces, including the Palmerston North CIB.

The awards recognise contributions to the industry as well as acknowledging struggles that some parking wardens have in their cities.

The Whakatane District Council parking unit last night won the right to attend the Australian parking conference in Hobart in 2006. Next year’s New Zealand conference will be held in Invercargill.

Cornford was a founding member of the Wanganui Civil Defence Rescue Unit which was set up in 1983.

Car parking has becoming a major issue across New Zealand. It rates as one of the great curses of the 21st century. Waite said the problem was not confined to big cities and it regularly reared its head in smaller towns, with local councils debating over inconsiderate drivers parking illegally for hours in restricted areas.

Many larger city councils are actively pursuing initiatives to reduce car use, and thus traffic and parking congestion.

The conference which ended today was attended by representatives of all 50 territorial local authorities and one international airport company. They all carry out parking enforcement in New Zealand.

Mr Waite estimated well over a million parking fines were issued in New Zealand every year by local authorities.

ENDS

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